Championship

SWANS BREAK FREE AS 'STUTE, PORTS AND ARDS ALL WIN

16 Sep 2023
football
© Institute FC

Newington moved clear at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship on an afternoon that also produced victories for Portadown, Institute and Ards.

The Swans came from a goal behind to defeat Dundela in the big top of the table clash at Inver Park.

The sides were only separated by goal difference going into the game, but the Duns gained the upper hand on 19 minutes when Anto Burns fired low into the bottom left corner.

Newington hit back almost immediately through Darren Stuart before edging in front just after the half-hour mark courtesy of an Eamonn Hughes spot-kick. Stuart then bagged what proved to be the winner just before the break on the rebound.

Institute continued their good run with a one goal defeat of Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park, with Oisin Devlin hitting the winner from distance just short of the hour.

Portadown are just behind ‘Stute in fourth place after their 2-0 win on the road at Knockbreda.

Ryan Mayse opened the scoring with barely 30 seconds on the clock with a back post finish from Paul McElroy’s cross, while McElroy himself made sure of the points eight minutes from time.

Callum Dougan scored twice in Ards’ 4-2 win over Dergview at Clandeboye Park.

Ross Hunter’s well taken finish on three minutes was doubled up by Eamon Scannell soon after. Gareth Harkin pulled one back for the visitors midway through the first half before Dougan found the top corner a few minutes after that.

Niall McGinley bagged Dergview’s second around the hour from the spot but Dougan made sure for Ards in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, the games between Ballyclare Comrades and Annagh United, and HW Welders and Bangor ended scoreless.